Vodafone-NASSCOM kick starts 'Mobile for Good Awards'

NEW DELHI: Vodafone Foundation has launched the fifth edition of its flagship initiative ‘Mobile for Good Awards 2015’, in partnership with NASSCOM Foundation, through the NASSCOM Social Innovation Forum.

Vodafone Foundation will provide a grant of Rs 1.2 million to five winning NGOs/NPOs in addition to structured mentoring, monitoring and impact evaluation support from partner institutions, incubators etc. All winning projects will also be featured in the soon-to-be-launched 'Social Apps Marketplace’ by Vodafone.

The awards recognize and support emerging talent and innovative mobile solutions from NGOs and ‘For profit’ enterprises that facilitate community empowerment and inclusive growth. This year, 11 winning innovations will be recognized across two categories – ‘Leading Change Maker – NPO’ and ‘Leading Change Maker – For Profit’.

Applicants from NGOs / NFPs and for profit organizations can submit their entries on the portal www.vodafone.in/mobileforgood until 31 July 2015.

P Balaji, Director- Regulatory and External Affairs, Vodafone India, said, “This year, ‘the Mobile for Good Awards’ a marquee proposition from Vodafone Foundation, enters fifth year of its successful social initiative to recognize innovative mobile solutions in the country. Our mission, in line with the government’s vision of Digital India, is to build a platform for these innovators, recognize them and support them further for scalability and sustainability through funding and mentorship. This year with a new partnership with NASSCOM Social Innovation Forum, we intend to reach out to the mobile innovations across India and provide them with the necessary help for a greater impact.”

Shrikant Sinha, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation, said, “We are glad to collaborate with Vodafone Foundation to enable the most powerful tool in people’s hands today, help improve their lives” He further added, “We are hopeful that Mobile for Good will act as a catalyst to bring forward break through innovations in mobile technology from across the country and these innovations will help integrate social objectives with technology to fuel social development in India.”